Progress In Electromagnetics Research Symposium Abstracts, Marrakesh, Morocco, Mar. 20–23, 2011 953
Detection of Latent Damage from Insect Activity in Wooden
Structures through the Use of Holographic Subsurface Radar
T. Bechtel1, L. Capineri2, P. Falorni2, M. Inagaki3,
A. Zhuravlev4, V. Razevig4, S. Ivashov4, and C. Windsor5
1Department of Earth and Environment, Franklin & Marshall College, Lancaster, PA 17604, USA
2Dipartimento Elettronica e Telecomunicazioni, Universit`a di Firenze, Firenze 50139, Italy
3Walnut Ltd., 1-19-13, Saiwaicho, Tachikawa, Tokyo 190-0002, Japan
4Remote Sensing Laboratory, Bauman Moscow State Technical University, Russia
5116, New Road, East Hagbourne, OX11 9LD, UK
Abstract—
Worldwide, termites, other insects, and fungi cause damages totaling billions of
dollars per year. The common way to detect hidden infestation is by visual inspection, or
destruc-tive probing. Acoustics, trained dogs, CO2 sensors, and infrared have also been used for active
colonies. In this study, RASCAN-type holographic radar was used to scan boards with
mock-termite-tunnel drill holes, planks with termite damage, and beams with destructively-detected
known damage hidden behind plasterboard wall covering. The results were used to interpret
scans of structural elements with former infestation. Scanning revealed locations with latent
subsurface damage that was missed by prior inspection and remediation.